The collection is a miscellaneous group of letters of mainly British scientists and physicians, purchased as an existing autograph collection. There are a few American signatures. The letters are primarily from the nineteenth century and focus on medical and geological topics, but also there are some earlier and later dates. In addition to the letters are anatomical drawings of surgery, sketches of bones, and one geological notebook.

This collection contains correspondence on natural history, expecially mollusks, fishes, and birds, and on medicine and social affairs, with references to the British Museum of Natural History. Also included are a paper by Owen on dinosaurs and a synopsis of a course of lectures, 1857.